Since the game was invented in 1968, ultimate has proudly promoted one aspect of the game more that any other: the spirit of fair play. While some of the very first games ever played did, in fact, have referees, soon they disappeared in favor of self-officiating, something we now call Spirit of the Game.

As ultimate becomes more and more popular, we know SOTG sets us apart. With Spirit Awards like those listed below we also want to honor the individuals who give back. Without the selfless contributions from players of all levels of play, the sport of ultimate would not have grown throughout the years. By honoring a national-caliber player who exemplifies both SOTG and individual contribution to our sport, we can elevate the core value of giving back.

Farricker Spirit Award

The Farricker Spirit Award is given to the player in the men's division of the USA Ultimate's National Championship Series adjudged to have exhibited personal responsibility, integrity, and fairness combined with a high standard of playing ability. Each Nationals-qualifying men's team nominates one player from their own team as the person who best represents Spirit of the Game. During the open championship game, each nominee is honored with a disc, pin or set of Mardi Gras beads. The hope is that the people wearing the Mardi Gras beads will be connected to Pete, each other and the Spirit of the Game, and will become role models for their teammates and opponents.
About Peter Farricker

Peter "Wheels" Farricker was a person of spirit — teammate, friend, brother, son, husband and father. He was swift, clever, funny, smart, kind, and he attracted people with an ease and calmness many admired. Fair on the field, he was strong in skill, superior outside the lines. He was champion in many ways. Taken seriously without being overly serious, loved by many, he was and is for many of us a model of what we hope we can be.

The Mixed Division Spirit and Equity Award is given to one female- and one male-identified player (for the purpose of satisfying on-field gender ratios) each year. Each mixed team that qualifies for the National Championships nominates one male and female who best represent Spirit of the Game and show a dedication to equity both on the field and in the community.

This award is given to the players determined by Nationals-qualifying mixed teams to have exhibited personal integrity, responsibility and fairness, along with a commitment to enhancing equity in play and in their communities.

Given the seminal importance of the Spirit of the Game to our sport, the USA Ultimate Board of Directors approved the addition of a sister honor to the Farricker Spirit Award and established the Kathy Pufahl Spirit Award on January 17, 2004. Each women's team that qualifies for the National Championships nominates one player from their team who best exemplifies both the ethos of the SOTG, along with a personal commitment to giving back to the sport. Each team at the National Championships casts a vote for one of the nominees, taking into account who has exhibited personal responsibility, integrity, and selfless contribution to ultimate, combined with a high standard of playing ability.

The athlete with the most votes is awarded the Kathy Pufahl Spirit Award at the National Championships

About Kathy Pufahl

For those who knew Kathy Pufahl as a player, no one better exemplified the combination of fierce, fun loving competitor, as well as, her selfless, ongoing contribution to the betterment of Ultimate. From the winter edition of the UPA Ultimate News magazine: "On the field, Kath helped build women's Ultimate and several of its early teams, setting the pace for high-quality and fair play. Off the field, she helped build the structure, and the spirit, of the game we know today. She organized tournaments, wrote and mailed newsletters, organized the women's college division, co-wrote (with Sholom "Eric" Simon) the first update to the Ninth Edition rules, and played a crucial role throughout the 1980-90s in developing and overseeing the administrative responsibilities of the UPA and served as the second women's national director from 1985 to 1988. She was the first managing director of the UPA and ran the first official UPA headquarters in an office near her home. She was relentless yet thoughtful, as she endeavored to lay the foundation of the structure of the game and the UPA."

Established in 2010, the Marty Bakko Spirit Award is presented to a player in the masters men'sdivision at the Masters Championships who best exemplifies SOTG. The award was created in honor of the late Marty Bakko (Minneapolis Surly). The masters division spirit award honors players that embody the best attributes of ultimate. Like Marty Bakko, these individuals: have an infectious sense of humor; possess a long-term passion for the sport of ultimate; display a commitment to fair play, integrity and respect for their opponent; are shrewd, tactical innovators on the field; show an intense, competitive Spirit; and are leaders who inspire others to act.

Each qualifying masters team nominates one player from its roster as the person who best represents the Spirit of the Game and the qualities listed above.